What are the estate agent’s obligations and responsibilities?

Among other things, the estate agent handling the sale is required to provide the buyer: 

• a description of the property 

• written information about the obligation to carry out an inspection and investigation of the property 

• an offer of a written estimate of the cost of ownership of the property. 

The description of the property 

A property description must include: 

• the year built, square metres of the building, and type of construction 

• property unit designation

• the assessed value 

• the size of the land area 

• running costs for utilities and expenses to maintain the property 

• existing mortgages, easements, liens, and other rights encumbering the property 

• information about any communal facilities (such as common areas or private roads). 

If you are purchasing a co-op apartment, the property description must also include: 

• the apartment number 

• the size of the apartment 

• the annual homeowners fee and any changes made to it 

• running costs for utilities and expenses to maintain the property 

• the name of the co-op association 

• mortgages against the co-op shares/ownership rights 

• number of shares/members 

• leased land. 

The buyer’s obligation to conduct a property inspection 

The estate agent must give you, the buyer, the advice and information you may need about the property and other matters and circumstances relating to the purchase. The duty of disclosure and providing information includes everything that is likely to be relevant to the purchase, including such matters related to the buyer’s duty to conduct a property inspection and examination of the title. The estate agent must provide written information about the buyer’s duty to inspect and investigate, and inform the buyer of the duty to investigate and what it entails. 

The estate agent should do what they reasonably can, however is not responsible for inspecting the property on behalf of the buyer.

Further information about the buyer’s duty to inspect and investigate is available on the website of the Swedish Estate Agents Inspectorate (FMI) (In Swedish)

Written calculation of the cost of homeownership 

The estate agent must provide a written estimate of the cost to live in the property, known as a cost of homeownership calculation. The aim is to make the prospective buyer aware of the costs that a purchase will entail. 

Want to know more about the estate agent’s obligations? 

The estate agent has many obligations to fulfil in the context of performing their duties with due care and observing the codes of practice for estate agents. You can find more information at the Swedish Estate Agents Inspectorate (FMI). 

Further information about the brokerage tasks and responsibilities of estate agents is available on the website of the Swedish Estate Agents Inspectorate (FMI) (In Swedish)